Help choosing a fixed blade, a little overwhelmed.

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BWMagus

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Dec 3, 2014
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So while I like knives and various other sharp objects, I am not very familiar with different steel types and different manufacturers. And googling it just gets me a ton of information and I'm not sure how to sort it out. So I thought I'd ask some enthusiasts for help.

What I'm in the market for is something like the Buck General or 119 Special--a 5-7 inch fixed blade hunting knife. And I like those kinds of designs; Bowie or other simple, traditional looks, instead of ones with ridges and holes and serrations. It kinda needs to be a hunting knife because, from what I've researched, the law where I live is that you can only have bigger knives on your person if they are for hunting or fishing (because it's impossible to kill someone with a hunting knife). So whatever I buy, I'd like the website or something to classify it as a hunting knife, so I have something to reference in case I get into trouble. Steel-wise, I just don't know. It'd probably be best for me to go with a stainless steel, as I do have a hard time religiously doing things, like oiling a knife on a regular basis.

So I'm asking for either steel suggestions, and I'll find a matching knife myself, or knife suggestions. I would like this to be an attractive, tough, reliable knife. It doesn't have to be a survivalist monster and I don't want to spend 300 dollars, but I want something pretty sweet. And hell, if those Buck knives qualify, you think, let me know, but a lot of people seem to think the steel is meh.

Thanks for your help guys and gals.
 
In my opinion, look at an ESEE model... Looks are as you described you'd like, there is no warranty better than ESEE's, it is carbon steel but most come coated so you just have to do minor maintenance on the edge. I have 2 now the Izula and ESEE 4, and I have 100% faith they will be my grandkids grandkids knives... if I don't lose them
 
Bang for buck is hard to beat w/ ESEE. I'm not particularly fond of their handles... too short and a tad thin for their width. The steel is outstanding though I prefer stainless. 5-7" can be a lot to ask for for <$200 though.
I would not call it an incredible bang for buck but a Survive! GSO 6 would be an exceptional tool for you. ...but good luck finding one! Maybe take a look at Bark River's offerings. I'm sure they are great knives and I would consider most of them a great deal money wise. I just like my knives a tad less traditional looking and I prefer removable handle scales... Mainly because I like the look of modern fasteners.

Good luck and happy hunting!
 
Look at the BK15 in1095 crovan for around $42 shipped its awesome. Wipe it down with mineral oil when you get it, then wipe it down mineral oil when you are done with it. The ease of sharpening more than makes up for the little wipes of oil.
Becker warranties their knives as well as esee as far as I can tell, and while the handles and sheaths arent as good they are half the price. Figure out what you lime or dont then spend the money or be happy with what you have or customize it.
Becker is the answer.
 
Carbon steel isn't as hard to maintain as most people think. Just dry off the blade before you sheath it, and if you plan on storing it for a while just lightly oil it.

Becker BK15 and 16 are great blades, as are all bark river knives. In fact, id say a bark river fox river or something of the like would work best. Beckers and EESE's are great knives as well, but their black coatings make them look a bit more tactical. Bark river (and blackjack actually) are a bit more natural/traditional looking and would sell the "its for hunting" image.
 
Fallkniven makes a series of very nice traditional stacked leather handled knives. Canal Street is a good American company that makes good sheath knives. There is nothing wrong with the Buck 119, 120, or 124 knives. Sometimes, you can find these as special editions or custom shop made knives on the internet.
 
Sweet is in the eyes of the beholder. If I was looking for "sweet", I would look at the Bark River line. I don't think you can go wrong even with their standard steels. My sweet is the Blackjack 125 (5") which is as big as I am comfortable with for general use and A-2 is just fine. My more sweet is a Dozier custom (Pro Guides in D-2) which pushes the cost to a bit over $300. My personal opinion is that if you go with a good steel, you won't be able to tell much difference between it and the so called super steels.

The ESEE and Kabar Beckers are good especially for a hard use knife. I like the BK-16/BK-17 a lot. I think the BK-7 is a tad too large for convenient carry even in the woods. But I have one.
 
Ideally you probably want something like a Becker in 1095 steel.

The Bucks are good too. They have some nice looking knives.
 
There are some good offerings from TOPS knives that could fit the bill, also..Karen Hood just got doing some knives with CRKT that are for hunting and outdoors.
 
All good recommendations here.

As far as picking a knife to be compliant with the law and pleasing our lawmakers and wonderful politicians, any prosecutor isn't going to care how a website or manufacturer categorizes a knife. It'll boil down to statutes, legalese, legal definitions, and case law. If they want to hang you, they'll hang you. That said, it *is* likely better to carry a less threatening looking knife if that's what your concerned about, and it is a valid concern. You said you like the Bowie design which is awesome - what's not awesome is that "bowie style" knives are illegal to carry in a lot of places in the U.S. (I'm assuming you're in the U.S.). Check your laws if the laws are a concern of yours. A bowie knife could simply be defined as a fixed blade over (insert low single digit number here) inches in length.


EDIT: clarified that bowie knives are illegal to carry in a lot of places. I'm pretty sure one may own anywhere in the U.S., but I'm no lawyer.
 
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Would have to agree with the ESEE suggestions so far! Good luck and let us know what you decide!
 
Might be a bit smaller than you want at 4.5" but take a look at the Hess Knifeworks Outdoorsman. They also make the Frontiersman which might be a bit harder to find; 6 7/8" blade in 1095, various traditional handle materials and made in the US. A huge bargain at under $150.

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fq55, thats a great looking blade! Ive always been in love with the WWII - Vietnam style knives, and from my experience,knives like that are real users, Id love to get a Mark 1 some time from Ka Bar, but Im afraid I couldn't justify the purchase, I so many I don't use now!
 
Thank you everyone for all the responses. I'm certainly learning about many new brands. I know I said I prefer knives a little plain, but I didn't expect quite so many of these to look like kitchen knives! I'm still debating what to get, because frankly, what I really want is a combat or tactical knife, that looks innocuous enough to help keep me out of trouble. I'd love a tanto KA-BAR or something, with a rubberized grip, if the laws permitted. I probably should of said that in my first post, sorry. If I ever seriously use this knife, it'd probably be for self-defense (and most likely against a mountain lion or something, I hike in the mountains a lot) as I use my pocket knife for most little knife-related tasks (a Buck 110). Something with a good grip and a good stabbing point. I know what I'm asking for is somewhat contradictory, that's why I appreciate so many different suggested manufacturers to look at, to try and get what's closest, compromising where I must. Anyway, thanks again, and I will certainly welcome any additional advice.

And sure, I guess if someone really wanted to arrest me as a crazed knife killer, they could, but I figure a KA-BAR would certainly look bad to the jury, compared to that knife pictured above (which is quite gorgeous, gotta say).
 
To get away from the kitchen knife look, switch from the BK15 to the BK16. The Esee 6 is a great knife...but so is the Esee 4. (I might prefer the 6 if I was tangling with a mountain lion.)
Given the choice between the BK16 and the Esee6, I usually respond get the Ratmandu...but that raises the cost bar a couple of notches, and you'll need a sheath.
I'm a big fan of the Doug Ritter RSK® Mk2; but it's currently out of stock.
The SYKCO 5 is a very capable knife; but, like the BK15, it's got sort of a kitchen knife look.
TOPS B.O.B., DPx HEFT 4, and Doug Ritter RSK® Mk3 are worth a look, as well - if you aren't set on a 5" minimum.

This is just like Christmas shopping, isn't it?
 
BWMagus said:
I'd love a tanto KA-BAR or something, with a rubberized grip, if the laws permitted. I probably should of said that in my first post, sorry. If I ever seriously use this knife, it'd probably be for self-defense (and most likely against a mountain lion or something, I hike in the mountains a lot) as I use my pocket knife for most little knife-related tasks (a Buck 110). Something with a good grip and a good stabbing point. I know what I'm asking for is somewhat contradictory, that's why I appreciate so many different suggested manufacturers to look at, to try and get what's closest, compromising where I must. Anyway, thanks again, and I will certainly welcome any additional advice.
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Blackjack Model 1-7 or Fallkniven F1 or A1. The less expensive Fallkniven knives have the zytel handles. SOG Northwest Ranger is another one that you might like although the steel is not considered as good as the Blackjack or Fallknivens. The SOG Agency is very stabby.

Why are you concerned about juries? In most places, blade lengths apply to urban kinds of situations not out in the woods or trail.
 
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Right now, I have 4 I'm leaning towards;
Fallkniven A1
Blackjack Model 7 w/ Stag handle
DPx HEFT 6 Woodsman, Smooth Edge
TOPS Knives Operation Badger

The Woodsman is probably my favorite looking, but I wish it had a guard or something; it looks like it'd be fairly easy to slip your fingers onto the blade. I appreciate all the recommendations of Becker knives and the like, and I really do like them (and would buy them), but it's not the appearance I'm looking for today. I think the Blackjack 7 is really nice and traditional looking, but not boring. And something about TOPS is just weird to me; I tend to distrust anything that keeps blaring "THE TROOPS LOVE OUR STUFF, IT'S SO GOOD YOU GUYS, I'M NOT EVEN KIDDDING!"
 
I believe every one of theese threads needs a guy that suggests the makers exchange. I haven't seen it yet so I guess I'll be that guy. Seriously check out the exchange very good knives for reasonable prices
 
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